Overview
Title
To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to secure the suicide prevention lifeline from cybersecurity incidents, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 912 is a plan to make sure the people who help others by answering calls at the Suicide Prevention Lifeline are safe from computer problems. It wants everyone to share quickly if there's a computer issue and do a study to make sure everything is kept safe.
Summary AI
The bill H. R. 912 aims to amend the Public Health Service Act to protect the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from cybersecurity incidents. It introduces requirements for identifying and reporting cybersecurity vulnerabilities and incidents to ensure the lifeline's security. The bill mandates local and regional crisis centers to report any cybersecurity issues to a network administrator, who then informs the Assistant Secretary. Additionally, the Comptroller General is tasked with conducting a study on cybersecurity risks related to the lifeline.
Published
Keywords AI
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Bill Statistics
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed bill, titled the “9–8–8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act,” seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act with the aim of safeguarding the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which operates through the 9-8-8 emergency number, against cybersecurity threats. The bill stipulates that network administrators be diligent in identifying and reporting any cybersecurity vulnerabilities or incidents. Moreover, it mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General of the United States to evaluate cybersecurity risks associated with the Lifeline, with a report on the findings to be submitted to Congress within 180 days.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several significant issues arise from the current drafting of the bill. Firstly, there is a lack of financial specificity regarding the potential costs or allocations involved in implementing these cybersecurity measures, which complicates the assessment of any wasteful expenditure. Additionally, the bill uses ambiguous language such as "within a reasonable amount of time" when referring to the reporting of cybersecurity incidents. This vagueness could lead to inconsistent enforcement and accountability.
Another issue is the absence of clear criteria for selecting the network administrators responsible for implementing the cybersecurity protections, raising concerns about potential favoritism or unfair selection processes. Furthermore, the bill employs the term "assistant secretary" without clarifying which department or agency will hold this responsibility, leading to potential confusion and lack of clear oversight.
Lastly, the section regarding the "network participation agreement" that defines oversight responsibilities is insufficiently detailed, providing little information on its structure or enforcement, thereby impacting accountability. Also, the complex legal terminology used may be challenging for those without legal expertise, impeding stakeholders' understanding and compliance.
Impact on the Public Broadly
The implementation of rigorous cybersecurity measures for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline could potentially enhance the protection of sensitive personal data of individuals seeking help, thereby fostering greater trust and usage of this essential service. However, any delays or inconsistencies in reporting due to vague language could impair this protection, potentially risking the confidentiality and integrity of user data.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For network administrators and local crisis centers, the bill imposes new responsibilities that require adherence to cybersecurity protocols, which could demand additional resources or training. While this could increase their operational complexity, it might also drive improvements in their cybersecurity practices.
For policymakers and lawmakers, the absence of defined roles and specifics in financial allocation presents a challenge in oversight and accountability. There could be increased scrutiny of how selections of administrators are made and how the cybersecurity measures are implemented and financed.
Ultimately, while the bill addresses a critical need for cybersecurity in the realm of mental health services, it must also refine its definitions and oversight frameworks to ensure effective enforcement and public confidence in the protection of sensitive data.
Issues
The bill lacks specific financial details or allocations in Section 2, which makes it challenging to assess potential wasteful spending or financial implications, impacting the accountability and transparency of fund usage.
The term 'within a reasonable amount of time,' used in Section 2 for reporting cybersecurity vulnerabilities and incidents, is too vague and open to interpretation, which could result in varied implementation and accountability standards.
The assignment of oversight responsibilities to network administrators and crisis centers in Section 2 is inadequately defined, as the criteria for selecting these administrators are not specified. This could lead to potential favoritism or unfairness in the selection process.
The use of the term 'assistant secretary' in Section 2 without specifying the department or agency can cause confusion regarding who holds ultimate responsibility and oversight, leading to legislative ambiguity.
The section about the oversight responsibilities in a 'network participation agreement' (Section 2) is mentioned without providing details on how such agreements are structured and enforced, reducing accountability and clarity.
Complex legal language in Section 2 may hinder understanding by stakeholders without legal expertise, impacting effective implementation and compliance with the bill's requirements.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill states its official name: the “9–8–8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act.”
2. Protecting suicide prevention lifeline from cybersecurity incidents Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to ensure that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is protected from cybersecurity threats by requiring network administrators to report any cybersecurity vulnerabilities or incidents promptly. Additionally, within 180 days, the Comptroller General is required to study and report on the cybersecurity risks associated with the Lifeline.